The Third Party

Ken’s POV (12 yrs. and 3 weeks old)

“(Content sigh with arms stretched upwards) That was refreshing, good thing we had breakfast before leaving.” I said while walking alongside the two, towards the northern village.

“Right? I told you, you would like it and that too.” Wilbert said sprouting a wide smile looking at my way.

“The bath was nice, thank you for preparing breakfast for the three of us.” said Celine, while rubbing her face, eyes closed, but eventually opens them, who wouldn’t do so when you’re walking, Wilbert just nodded.

Now don’t you guys get the wrong idea, yes they may have said that we would take a bath together but me and Wilbert separated ourselves from Celine and found a relatively okay spot to bath by the river, where we could not see Celine, and no, he didn’t try to peep on her, that’s just rude.

Right now we’re just wearing common clothes, the kind you’ll see worn by commoners, but still look decent.

“Can I teleport us there? It’s quite a long walk.” I said, feeling extra kind of lazy, since they woke me up early, and I’m still sleepy.

“Nope, we’re not letting you teleport us there, I want this to be our time to hang out with each other. We haven’t really bond with one another since we came to the northern village, and I kind of missed it.” Celine said while walking, which surprised me really, and come to think of it, we haven’t really had the time for ourselves, us three to bond together since our training started.

“Oh, why?” don’t mind me here, for I am absolutely confused.

“Like I said, I missed being together with you two.” She said.

“Aren’t we always together?” I asked. Celine stopped walking, which made us all stop, and faced me.

“Well, yeah, we are always together, but it kind of feels like we are not…” she paused for a second, looked at Wilbert, the two nodded at each other, and looked at me, what’s that look for?

“Ken, I… no, we miss you, we miss your pestering, your funny jokes and gestures that sometimes we don’t understand, your attentiveness towards us, how you would always wake us up early in the morning -not as early as we did- and do nothing but talk about a lot of stuff then eventually either you eat at my place or Wilbert’s,

How you would either teleport me or Wilbert to each of our houses, and eat together, then later in the day we would talk about other stuffs while playing or just enjoying each other’s company.” I was stunned on my position as Celine spoke the words in a fast pace,

Although it is not visible that she had taken a huge amount of effort to speak all those things, the ragged breath otherwise says so.

“But aren’t we doing those things now?” I asked.

“Yes, we do, but it feels like there’s something different now, and it’s…” What is she indicating? Is there something wrong? My attitude, the way I talk maybe?

“What do you mean?” I’m lost in my thoughts.

“What Celine meant is that she’s worried for you, both of us are worried for you.” said Wilbert looking at me with a face full of concern and worry.

“Why would you guys worry for me, I’m fine.” I said, smiling at them.

“We’re your friends, of course we’d worry for you, we noticed something was bothering you, and we don’t know what it is so… you wouldn’t even tell us, what were we supposed to do? You looked so distant now for us.” exclaimed Wilbert, a hint of anger laced in his tone.

I looked at them both, Celine was on the verge of tears, Wilbert was slowly caressing his right hand on her back, slightly soothing her, and then it hit me, I remember the times they had asked me to hang out to which I always declined.

The times I had neglected them whenever we talk because my attention gets caught by stuff revolving around magic, of course I would always give them a smile and a sincere apology, but as time passed, I didn’t notice that my apologies and smiles were not sincere anymore, not that I’m angry, more like my responses are dull.

(Talks inside Ken’s head)

‘White what are these?’ -Ken-

‘They’re your memories.’ -White-

‘I’ve been doing this the whole time?’ -Ken-

‘Yes’ -White-

I glanced back at the two after pondering for a moment and said…

“I’m sorry, I… I didn’t notice that I’ve been doing awful stuff to you guys.” Wilbert’s face contorted instantly on a playful manner while two tears were shed on Celine’s eyes to which she wiped away.

“It’s okay, all we wanted was to know what’s going on.” said Wilbert with a look of worry.

“I’m sorry…” I pondered for a bit before saying. “But, I promise that I will tell you two about what’s happening with me, would you please promise to be patient with me?”

“Of course!” -Celine-

“I suppose I could agree to that.” -Wilbert-

“That’s good enough for me.” I said as we resumed walking.

“Before we proceed towards the village, where did all this come from? I mean you guys didn’t really gave this much concern before -if I presume-.” I said, tilting my head to the side.

“It was yesterday, when you tickled us on the way home.” This time it was Celine who spoke, with a little smile on her cute little face.

“That time huh… okay.” I clapped my hands. “From now on I’ll try my best to truthfully include you guys anything when it comes to me, but not that other stuff.”

“Haha, there’s no need for that, all we need is that you, be yourself.” said Wilbert.

“Oh, didn’t really think you’d say that. Quick question should I pay attention to you guys all the time?” I said, wrapping my left arm around me and my right hand touching my chin.

“NOOO *giggles* that’s ridiculous, you…” Why’d Celine stop? She looked at Wilbert.

“Not all the time.” said Wilbert, now I’m confused.

“But why?” I asked, in an exaggerated gesture.

“You’ll know when the time comes.” he said, which left me pondering about it. (and eventually he still gets confused, and mind overloads) OKAY FINE! HMPH!

“Let’s go?” said Wilbert, looking at me and Celine, before settling on her.

“Yeah, let’s go.” said Celine, to which we resumed walking to the village, on the way, we made small talks and conversations while passing to the places we had been, and the magical beasts we encountered, laughed with each other and occasionally at one another, teased one another, but ultimately me teasing them, you guys know what I mean.

“Hey, Wilbert, I was kind of wondering, of what you guys told me earlier, were you not afraid that I would react differently?” I asked, while Celine is ahead playing around with the colorful birds in the air.

“At first I did, but I discarded the thought.” He said.

“Why?” I asked, he looked at me and said. “Because I know you, and I know that you would always listen to us no matter how disturbing or insulting the topic of our conversation may be.”

“But did it ever cross your mind that I wouldn’t want to be your friend anymore since you talked about something personal?” he looked at surprised, but blinked it away and smilingly said.

“Why would you think something as absurd as that, you’re one of my dearest friends since we were young, and if you talk to me about my personal stuff, I wouldn’t hesitate to talk with you about it too, because I trust you.” (Attention perks) awww, they’re becoming more open,

I guess those times that I talked to them regarding personal feelings and stuff, did pay off, I might be getting myself too ahead.

“You trust me?” I asked, and stopped walking.

“Yes, I do trust you, so don’t forget about what you talked to us about trust before.” He said while smiling, a clear indication, he’s getting sharper now, but more importantly…

“Awwww, thank you.” I hugged him, making him embarrassed and blushing, his arms are raised on the side.

“Let me in on that hug too.” said Celine before I feel a body colliding with mine and slim arms snaking its way around me and Wilbert, which made him eventually also wrap his arms on the both of us.

I looked up at him and smiled cheekily, before turning my gaze towards Celine and licked her face, her eyes were closed, so…

“Kyaahh, Ken, that’s disgusting.” said Celine playfully, but still has a pinch of disgust which made me and Wilbert laugh out loud.

“Race you guys to the entrance!” To which I sprinted leaving them to eat dust, haha, that’s just an expression.

“Oh no you don’t, I won’t let you!” said Wilbert as he also started running.

“I won’t lose either.” followed by Celine as she push herself using her legs and started running beside Wilbert, I laughed at the gesture before returning my gaze ahead and picked up speed.

(One moment later)

3rd Person’s POV

The three stopped at the entrance upon arriving, and settled to catch their breath, after calming down for awhile, they looked at each other’s faces, looking at the unkempt appearance and giggled lightly,

Which turned into a burst of laughter at Wilbert’s side, for he had just realized that Ken’s well kept long hair was in a bundle of mess realizing that he must have raced with him pretty roughly since Ken’s appearance was so horrible from their unavoidable playing with each other.

-let’s go with pushes and pulling here, like when you’re pulling your friends just so you could be the first to obtain a significant thing-.

Ken just used his magic to groom himself neatly, not much just some stray hair on the side.

“You guys are here, come everyone is gathering at a small cottage near the town hall.” said Allen who was ordered to come together with the three to the small cottage just beside the town hall -or the house of the leader, whatever you may call it-.

“I’m clueless why we are meeting them, does this have to do something about the first week they have arrived here?” asked Ken, as he walked beside Allen, which was followed by the other two.

“Yes, particularly on the part where our guests were processing their stay here at our village, but got slightly delayed due to Princess Lang, we can’t really blame her, for the shift of her lifestyle, and from her point of view, I think it would have been uncomfortable.” said Allen, as he glanced at Ken before looking straight to the town hall, which was just ahead of them, 200 meters away.

“Oh, okay.” replied Ken.

Upon arriving at the small cottage where their other companions and would be companions are at, the four found them sitting at a round table with nothing on top and four empty chairs, the rest being occupied, a total of eleven chairs.

Allen gestured for the three to sit at the three empty chairs with Ken sitting at the middle, Wilbert to his left, Celine to his right, and Allen to Celine’s right, with the sequence of, Wilbert, Ken, Celine, Allen, Lila, Saber, Flin, Princess Lang, Icarus, Riyah, and Glen, around the round table.

“So now that we are all here, shall we start with introductions? Allow me to introduce myself first, my name is Allen, the son of the Continental Snake.” said Allen smoothly addressing his would be companions, exuding an aura of a leader.

He cast a glance at his friends, clearly indicating that they should introduce themselves first before returning his gaze towards their guests.

“Me next, My name is Ken a student of master Klein, Allen’s father. Pleased to make your acquaintance” said Ken enthusiastically.

“My name is Glen, a disciple of the Fluffy Bunny.” -Glen-

“Mine is Wilbert, a student of the Fluffy Bunny.” -Wilbert-

“Hi, my name is Celine, a student of the Black Panther.” -Celine-

“My name is Saber, a disciple of the Black Panther.” -Saber-

“And my name is Lila, a disciple of the Black Panther. Nice to meet you.” -Lila-

Along the introduction, nods and ok’s where passed here and there as a sign of recognition, except for the princess who is just staring forward, as if the introductions worth nothing to her, but if one would look closely, we’ll notice that she’s staring directly at Ken, seems like her resentment still isn’t cleansed.

“Now it’s your turn.” said Allen to the Princess, snapping her out from her state before standing up from her chair and spoke in an imposing manner.

“My name is Princess Lang Wyvern, crowned princess of the Dragon Kingdom.” She sat back down, leaving everyone dumbfounded by her statement. Awkwardness crept to the room before being dispelled by Allen, encouraging the other three to introduce themselves.

“My name is Icarus, son of the Chief of the Avian Guardian, twin brother of Riyah.” said Icarus grinning, with not a slight contempt but a sense of pride was still evident on his tone, the seven could quite guess that this person would bring mischief with him, or trouble.

“Mine is Riyah, daughter of the Chief of the Avian Guardian, twin sister of Icarus.” unlike her brother, Riyah spoke in soft manner, with elegance and poise befitting that of a lady, a clear contrast of his brother’s behavior.

“Hello, my name is Flin, son of the current leader of the Descendants of the Nine-Tailed Fox, it’s nice to meet you too, a-and… pleased to make your acquaintance too.” said Flin, replying to Lila’s introduction earlier, for he felt troubled that no one replied to her, but he blushed quite cutely at the end of his sentence as he addressed it to Ken.

He doesn’t know that Ken’s a boy though, for as far as they had known -the four guests-, Ken is a girl in their eyes, with a slightly slender body composition and feminine features making them conclude that he was a girl.

Little do they know that they’re in for a treat later, a great one.

“Now that we’ve introduced ourselves formally, is it okay if we share information about our abilities, powers and class that we belong to, since we’re going to be training together starting from tomorrow, it would be very helpful in all our development in the future and early on.” said Allen, indirectly commanding the flow of the conversation.

“Why would you want to know that Snake?” said Icarus, hostility evident on his tone of voice. Riyah, who was aware of the train of thought of his twin brother directly interjected.

“Icarus, don’t be so rude to Allen, we’re here at their turf, though our instincts may suggest that we’re sworn enemies, but still you shouldn’t be disrespectful towards them.” although it may sound exaggerating, but Riyah spoke of it calmly and in a controlled tone, with all seriousness as she looked at his brother, Icarus clicked his tongue and looked the other way.

“It’s okay, we’re only asking, I apologize for asking something so rude.” said Allen, trying to lessen the tension in the room, the others are just dumbfounded on their sits, for they haven’t met someone so rude, until now.

“Glad you know your place, hmph! Anyway, I don’t want to tell you my abilities and powers but to be fair, I’d like for you to tell us yours first.” said Princess Lang, catching the attention of everyone in the room, as she’s still being scornful towards them, talk about someone who looks down on others.

“I suppose that’s acceptable.” Allen looked at his companions and saw them nod. “Very well, I shall tell you mine, as the son of the Continental Snake, I posses the ability to transform into a large snake with white scales, my powers primarily focus on Water, Ice, and Wind magic, I’d say I’m a mage in terms of class.”

The term class was first introduced to everyone about ten years ago, it can also be considered as a job, it was accepted right away by the human community since they were the ones who proposed them first,

But it was quite a hassle for the magical beasts side, since they never wanted to consider or call themselves as such since they were magical beasts, a proud race having the innate talent to wield magic from birth.

But eventually, the system was accepted by the beast community since it was quite a useful tool when discussing transaction with the humans.

Princess Lang looked at Lila, making her flinch as she was stared at, the look clearly indicates that she wants her to go next.

“I posses the ability to transform into a white panther, my power is shadow magic, assassin class.” the princess shifted her gaze to Saber.

“My ability, power and class are the same as my sister Lila, but I transform into a black panther.” she then looked at Glen.

“My ability is that I can transform into a big bunny, my power is enhancement and earth magic, warrior class.” She then shifted her gaze to Wilbert.

“I don’t have the ability as our beast companions but I’m currently learning enhancement and light magic, warrior class.” Princess bypassed her gaze from Ken, who was excited to introduce his powers, but got disappointed and slumped his shoulders pouting -quite clearly-, and settled onto Celine.

“I have the innate ability of my tribe, strength and survivability in the wild, I’m currently learning shadow magic and enhancement magic, archer class.” The princess nodded then contemptuously looked at Ken, who was grinning widely, which made her roll her eyes.

He then said...

“I don’t have any ability, but if you call learning magic at a fast pace an ability, then that is what I have, I’m currently learning all types of magic except for light and shadow or darkness -don’t really know why-, I’m a battle mage class.” Ken smiled again as he finished his sentence, hoping that what he said was understandable, but it was quite the opposite for the other end.

The Princess was quite distressed as she never expected to encounter such a person who would claim that he’s learning all types of magic, as she only know quite a handful of person’s who has mastered four or five types of magic, let alone him, as there were quite a lot of magic types out there, and for him to claim that, a ridiculous statement.

As for his companions, they could not help but slap their foreheads inwardly for the antics of their friend, as they all know the playful nature Ken has, and all the other mischief’s he had done in the past.

“Oh really, then show me the elements then.” before anyone could react, the princess had retorted leaving them stunned in their seats.

“Okay.” With that single word from Ken, everyone’s mind and head was thrown into chaos especially the four guests, the princess recovered quite fast though as she still firmly believed on her stand, as for the other three, not so much.

Ken’s friend relatively recovered from their shock and was about to stop him from revealing his powers, but was too late.

As ten relatively small white magic circles appeared hovering above the round table, each scattered everywhere on the vicinity of the table, some hovered above, others hovered low, but only three magic circles hovered on the line of sight of Ken,

The elements appeared in their physical form along with their corresponding color of the magic circle, red for fire, blue for water, brown for earth, light-green for wind, skyblue for ice, yellow for lightning, purple for arcane, and a silver covered black and a black covered silver for the light and dark moon magic circles.

The four were stunned from the sight they are seeing but was quite intrigued for the three other magic that they are seeing, the purple, and two silver black magic circles, they haven’t encountered quite a magic before and was curious as to what it could do, how was it even existing.

They felt quite an intimidating power from the three, in fact all the ten magic circles were intimidating seeing as they were summoned simultaneously, but more so when they witnessed the other three.

Ken withdraw his magic making the magic circles and elements disappear and smiled towards the four guests, particularly towards princess Lang, and said…

“Did that answer your question?” the four absentmindedly nodded, but turned into a shake of the head for the princess, as she could not believe a person such as Ken exists, she could clearly say that Ken had failed on saying that he’s learning about all types of magic,

But he never disappointed on learning ten of them, and those other three made her wonder what those magic types were.

“You may have astounded us with your magic, but know this, I surpass you in terms of magical potential as you’re just a mere human and I am a noble race, I will challenge you again!” said Princess Lang, the others can’t help but sigh and feel in their hearts how much of a problem this will be in the future.

“Okay, I look forward to it.” Wilbert and Celine can’t help but talk to him in hushes expressing their worries, but Ken reassures them that it will all be just part of training, since no fatal harm will be done.

“Can we proceed to our four guests now?” said Saber impatiently.

“Right, so who would like to go first?” said Allen looking at their four guests…

“ME! I have the ability to turn into a red bird, akin to that of a phoenix, I have the power of fire magic.” and was immediately interjected by Icarus.

“I suppose I should go next, I have the ability to turn into a blue bird, and just like my brother, resembling a phoenix, I have the power of ice magic.” said Riyah.

“I have the ability to turn into a nine-tailed fox with the color of snow white and sky blue at the tips of my tail, I have the power of spirit and mind magic.” said Flin, which made everyone feel pleasant as the timid looking nine-tailed become brave all of a sudden.

“And I have the ability to turn into a golden dragon, I have the power of fire, royal, and space magic.” said Princess Lang proudly, rather than being intimidated, everyone just thought that this would be what they will be witnessing in the future, and felt awkward.

A knock was heard on the door and was opened to reveal Klein walking in followed by Lana, he said that him, Lana and their seven disciples will now start accompanying their four guests to roam around the village as what was planned,

Since they were not able to during their first visit, as they were busy processing the living expenses and procedures of the four guests, the eleven teens -barely- complied immediately.

Abruptly cutting off their conversation.

Along the trip of their tour, Lana introduced to the four the kind of training they will do under the guidance of the three leaders, and she had finished introducing them their new training regime as they had arrived at the field where the battle took place last week,

Without the commotion last time, they can see a clear field with equipments and an obstacle course at the left edge with a long table at the right edge of the field.

“I am curious, what are those equipments used for?” asked Icarus to himself, thinking that he’s mumbling but was heard by Allen.

“Those are weightlifting equipments, Ken named them and he was the one who made them too.” Icarus looked at him realizing that he was caught but shook his head and asked more.

“What’s it used for?” -Icarus-

“Ken said that it is used for strengthening one’s body.” -Allen-

“How does it work?” -Icarus-

“Here I’ll demonstrate.” said Allen as he proceeded to the equipments and used every equipments once before proceeding to the others, gaining the attention of the people around as they watch Allen work out.

Allen finished demonstrating and proceeded to the group and conversed with others.

Icarus looked back at the equipments and felt a burning sensation within himself which he cannot explain, all that he’s feeling is that he wants to use them. A thought suddenly struck him and asked…

“Does Ken use those?” Allen looked at him and smiled before nodding, realization dawned on him as the thought of Ken, a girl who would use such heavy equipments, he thought that Ken was a barbaric girl, but then another thought came into his mind.

“Is Ken a girl or a boy?” Icarus added abruptly, unnoticing the part that he was thinking out loud. Allen looked at him, confusion written all over his face, before realizing that Icarus must have misunderstood, and assumed that Ken was a girl.

“What’s with the question if I’m a girl or a boy, I’m a boy.” said Ken who heard their conversation and walked towards them stopping in front of Icarus.

Icarus was stunned to his core, he did not expect that Ken, who quite resembles a girl with all the feminine features and slender body, not to mention the hair, would actually be a boy, little did he know that the other guest -referring to Princess Lang, Riyah, and Flin-, were also stunned in place.

Flin blushed madly with the revelation as he had admired Ken just awhile ago, Riyah was just stunned in place, and princess Lang felt awfully awkward and throwing up after being jealous of a guy,

Her jealousy stemming from the part that no one would pay attention to her and only to Ken as she witnessed that he was graceful in the eyes of others, but thinking about it now, she felt sick to her core.

“What? What’s going on?” Ken can’t help but ask as he looks at the contorted faces of their guests, and immediately connects the information.

“Oohhh, you thought I was a girl. HAHA, *sigh* well, can’t really help it, coupled with my long hair and slim body of course I would be dubbed as a girl. Hehe, so, I’m a boy, -although I really want to grow these muscles, but that’s the point of all those weightlifting equipments, but why do I still can’t grow muscles?...” he mumbled of to himself,

Isgnoring the rest although not intentionally, the other nine people around were torn between laughing and feeling pity for the four, since this was another one of those incidents were Ken had managed to fool another poor soul of his gender.

Eventually, everyone recovered from their state and carried on with the tour, they took another route this time, which to Lana’s information would take them a bit of a long time before they could go back to the village, but will provide them an excellent view of the area the village occupies.

And just as they had walked atop a hill relatively high up but near the village, Klein gestured them to look at the village and was welcomed with a marvelous view of the village, the field, and some towering trees here and there which seems like it blended well with the other trees,

But on this particular angle you could see all the houses, built on the trees, on the ground, and basically the whole village was visible, or you could call it a town at this point.

The locations of all the other magical beasts Ken and his friends encountered in the past are barely visible far away, but occasionally they could see them, which thoroughly amazed them, Ken can’t help but think that this place has such a large area, the mountains are also far apart too, it’s like a valley,

With a very big plain seen from a distance, Ken could even see the village where he lives. A river was also visible at the distance though, Ken suspects that that’s the river they usually bathe in.

Klein gathered everyone to huddle near him so that he could cast a spell that will transport them back at the village, bright light engulfed everyone before they disappear into thin air and arrive at the center of the village, but not before Ken casted a stationary spell using nature magic and having it as an observer that will grow and record everything that happens around it over time.

The trip almost took all of the time of the day as the journey towards the top of the hill took awhile, of course having some complaints along the way, but still everyone thought that the trip was worth it.

Klein then announces that they have a small feast prepared for the night, which intrigued everyone as they were hungry, and Klein proceeded towards the town hall, gesturing for everyone to follow.

The teens of course had some conversations along the way and while they were at it, mischievous thoughts didn’t go unannounced on their point of view particularly Ken, Wilbert and Glen,

But mostly Ken, and you can guess whatever he did during the feast, which on the other who received the brunt, felt quite uncomfortable all throughout the entire night, all in all it was a fun day and a fun night.

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